Study of nanocarriers systems to 5-aminolevulinic acid for photodynamic therapy use

Author(s)

Natália Neto Pereira Cerize

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2012-05-03

Examining board members

Antonio Claudio Tedesco; Bartira Rossi Bergmann; Amedea Barozzi Seabra; Roberto Santana da Silva

• Advisor: Antonio Claudio Tedesco

Abstract

The 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a pro-drug, precursor of a photossensitizer agent employed in the photodynamic therapy (PDT). The topical application of ALA combined with the visible light irradiation in an appropiate wavelenght, promove the yielding of a highly fluorescent and photodynamically active agent, the protophoriryn IX (PpIX). However, due to its hydrophilic propertie 5-ALA has reduced penetration of the epidermis and dermis, limiting its topical application. This work presents the development of a nanostructured drug delivery system for ALA aiming to increase the skin permeation and the photodynamic efficacy. Beyond 5-ALA, other hydrophilic drugs were tested, including an anti-inflammatory, a vitamin and an anti-microbial drug to validate the controlled release and site-specific action. A study was performed to develop the composition and the process of preparation of the unload-nanocarriers and subsequent incorporation of drugs, besides a complete characterization of the nanocarriers, resulting in a patent application of the new systems: Colloidal Polymeric Nanocarriers. As the main results of this study can be highlighted the achievement of nanometer-scale system with high efficiency of encapsulation and controlled release profile, in addition to providing increased permeation and site-specific action of drugs, whether in the cancer cell or even in the lesion caused by microorganisms. The relevancy of this work is based on the necessity of a practical, sophisticated and selective treatment through the administration of the prodrug ALA using a suitable drug delivery system, because the epidermal barrier of the cancerous tissue is still a main limitation for topical PDT. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/07941-4 - Study of nanocarriers systems for the 5-aminolevulinic acid and derivatives with photodynamic therapy application
• Grantee: Natália Neto Pereira Cerize
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)